Creality K2 Plus Review: Is this the best 3D printer yet?

Creality K2 Plus 3D printer is turning heads with its impressive features and innovative design. Packed with cutting-edge tech, it’s aiming to be a game-changer for makers and professionals alike. But how does it stack up in the real world? Let’s find out.

Unboxing and first impressions

The K2 Plus arrives well-packaged, too well in some spots (print bed and CFS were hard to separate)! Inside, you’ll find the essentials: a manual, spare parts, and a full toolkit. At first impression, it looks huge, mighty, and a 3D printer that offers a lot of features.

Size and speed

Need big prints? The K2 Plus offers a spacious 350mm³ build volume, making it perfect for larger projects. And it’s fast—really fast. With motors that accelerate at 30,000mm/s² and speed up to 600mm/s, it’s a productivity powerhouse. The high-flow hotend can melt up to 40mm³ of filament per second, and dual cooling fans keep everything running smoothly. This printer can knock out a Benchy in just 10 minutes!

Advanced features for precision

The K2 Plus isn’t just about speed; it’s loaded with features to ensure precision and reliability:

• Active Belt Tensioning and a Lidar Sensor for automatic pressure and flow adjustments.
• An AI Chamber Camera to spot print failures and alert you in real-time.
• Independent Z-Axis Motors to automatically reduce bed tilt.
• A sleek, intuitive touchscreen and operating system.

Materials and build quality

The K2 Plus excels with a heated bed that reaches 120°C and a hotend capable of 350°C. It can handle a wide range of materials, including also ABS, ASA, and Nylon. The actively heated chamber minimises warping, and the die-cast frame is built to last.

The Color Filament System (CFS)

The CFS takes multi-color printing to the next level. It’s easy to use, compatible with AzureFilm filaments, and includes a built-in display to monitor temperature and humidity. While it’s slightly slower than Bambu Lab’s AMS in filament changes, it’s reliable and likely to improve with firmware updates.

One interesting quirk: the CFS performs two “poops” during filament changes, compared to the Bambu Lab AMS’s single poop. While this might seem odd, it doesn’t detract from the overall performance. The rubber nozzle cleaner is a great addition, though it can leave some filament scattered pieces on the print bed.

Performance in action

For its first major test, we printed a 134-hour bust of Ahsoka from Star Wars. The K2 Plus performed flawlessly, delivering exceptional detail and consistency throughout the entire job.

It’s not just a fast printer; it’s also remarkably quiet. With its closed chamber and air purifiers, it’s perfect for indoor environments.

Final thoughts

The Creality K2 Plus is a powerhouse 3D printer that balances speed, precision, and usability. With its intelligent features and robust design, it’s ready to tackle even the most demanding projects. While there are minor quirks, they don’t overshadow its capabilities.

If you’re looking for a reliable, future-proof printer that delivers professional-grade results, the K2 Plus might just be your new favourite machine.

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